Compendium of the most significant studies with reference to properties, intake, effects.

1. Development of an insecticidal nanoemulsion with Manilkara subsericea (Sapotaceae) extract by Caio P. Fernandes et al. This study discusses the development of an insecticidal nanoemulsion containing Octyldodecyl Myristate. The paper was published in 2014 and has been cited 70 times. You can access the full text of the paper here.

2. Final Report of the Amended Safety Assessment of Myristic Acid and Its Salts and Esters as Used in Cosmetics by Lillian C. Becker et al. This report addresses the safety of the inorganic salts and esters of various fatty alcohols of myristic acid, including Octyldodecyl Myristate. The paper was published in 2010 and has been cited 22 times. You can access the full text of the paper here.

3. Effects of Cosmetic Emulsions on the Surface Properties of Mongolian Hair by Zhaoting Liu et al. This study investigates the physical effects of different silicone-free conditioner formulations on Mongolian hair, including formulations containing Octyldodecyl Myristate. The paper was published in 2022 and has been cited 1 time.

4. Method for the determination of natural ester-type gum bases used as food additives via direct analysis of their constituent wax esters using high-temperature GC/MS by Atsuko Tada et al. This paper discusses a method for the analysis of different ester-type gum bases

Octyldodecyl myristate is a chemical compound derived from the reaction of myristic fatty acid with octyldodecanol, an ester of octyldodecyl alcohol and myristic acid. 

The name describes the structure of the molecule:

• Octyldodecyl. This term refers to an alkyl group, which is a chain of carbon and hydrogen atoms. In the case of Octyldodecyl, the chain contains 20 carbon atoms.
• Myristate. This refers to the salt or ester of myristic acid, a saturated fatty acid commonly found in nutmeg, butter, and other animal fats.

The synthesis process takes place in different steps:

• Preparation of Starting Materials. The synthesis of Octyldodecyl Myristate begins with the preparation of the necessary starting materials. This includes octyldodecyl alcohol and myristic acid.
• Esterification. The octyldodecyl alcohol is then reacted with myristic acid in the presence of an acid catalyst. This process is known as esterification and produces Octyldodecyl Myristate.
• Purification. The final step in the synthesis process is purification. This involves removing any unreacted starting materials and byproducts from the reaction mixture to obtain the pure Octyldodecyl Myristate.

It appears as a colourless transparent liquid that is insoluble in water.

What it is used for and where

Cosmetics

Skin conditioning agent - Emollient. Emollients have the characteristic of enhancing the skin barrier through a source of exogenous lipids that adhere to the skin, improving barrier properties by filling gaps in intercorneocyte clusters to improve hydration while protecting against inflammation. In practice, they have the ability to create a barrier that prevents transepidermal water loss.  Emollients are described as degreasing or refreshing additives that improve the lipid content of the upper layers of the skin by preventing degreasing and drying of the skin. The problem with emollients is that many have a strong lipophilic character and are identified as occlusive ingredients; they are oily and fatty materials that remain on the skin surface and reduce transepidermal water loss. In cosmetics, emollients and moisturisers are often considered synonymous with humectants and occlusives.

Skin conditioning agent - Occlusive. This ingredient has the task of modifying the condition of the skin when it is damaged or dry by reducing flaking and restoring elasticity. It has a strong lipophilic character and is identified as an occlusive ingredient; it is generally composed of oily and fatty materials that remain on the skin surface and reduce trans epidermal water loss.

An emollient, softening, moisturising agent used in skin care products, toiletries and herbal products such as night creams and waxes.

Use: 2%

Insecticides

Formulation consisting of 5% oil (octyldodecyl myristate), 5% surfactants (sorbitan monooleate/polysorbate 80), 5% apolar fraction from M. subsericea and 85% water (1).

The most relevant studies on this chemical compound have been selected with a summary of their contents:

Octyldodecyl myristate studies

Typical commercial product characteristics Octyldodecyl myristate

• Molecular Formula  C₃₄H₆₈O₂
• Molecular Weight     508.9
• Exact Mass   508.52200
• CAS      22766-83-2,  83826-43-1
• UNII    S013N99GR8
• EC Number   245-205-8
• DSSTox Substance ID  
• IUPAC  2-octyldodecyl tetradecanoate
• InChI=1S/C34H68O2/c1-4-7-10-13-16-18-19-20-22-25-28-31-34(35)36-32-33(29-26-23-15-12-9-6-3)30-27-24-21-17-14-11-8-5-2/h33H,4-32H2,1-3H3
• InChl Key      BGRXBNZMPMGLQI-UHFFFAOYSA-N
• SMILES   CCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OCC(CCCCCCCC)CCCCCCCCCC
• MDL number  
• PubChem Substance ID    
• SCHEMBL33795
• RXCUI       1311617
• RTECS   

Synonyms:

• 2-octyldodecyl tetradecanoate
• Myristic acid, 2-octyldodecyl ester
• 2-Octyldodecyl myristate

References______________________________________________________________________

(1) Fernandes CP, de Almeida FB, Silveira AN, Gonzalez MS, Mello CB, Feder D, Apolinário R, Santos MG, Carvalho JC, Tietbohl LA, Rocha L, Falcão DQ. Development of an insecticidal nanoemulsion with Manilkara subsericea (Sapotaceae) extract. J Nanobiotechnology. 2014 May 18;12:22. doi: 10.1186/1477-3155-12-22. 

Kim, E. J., Kong, B. J., Kwon, S. S., Jang, H. N., & Park, S. N. (2014). Preparation and characterization of W/O microemulsion for removal of oily make‐up cosmetics. International Journal of cosmetic science, 36(6), 606-612.